Allison could tell she’d hit a nerve, and she tried to feel bad for it, but she’d just proven her point. She leaned forward. “You’re the top agent because you can sell your campaign. Not necessarily because it’s the best idea. From what I could see of your shoot today, it’s a commercial that anyone would be happy with. Now he just wants more—I don’t blame him.”
Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Do you know anything about advertising? Or are you just arguing to argue?”
“Just arguing. But I also know that I’m right. Give his idea a chance. I’m assuming you can’t afford to lose him as a client. It’s time to stretch your usual methods and do something completely different. That’s what it’s all about, right? Finding the newest and greatest way to sell something so people don’t forget that brand?”
“Well, yes. But he should have told me that from the beginning. We put a lot of work and money into the shoot today.” Nate pushed his drink away.
Allison nodded. “You’re right. But it’s possible that it took seeing it for him to realize how important it was to go the other way.”
Nate studied her for a moment. “Maybe. But I still have no idea what to do.”
“I have two classes in the morning and then I can go with you. That is, if you’re willing to let me go.”
Nate’s eyebrows shot up. “You have classes? Where are you going to school?”
“Columbia University.”
“Wow. That’s great. My sister wanted to go there. How about if I meet you around eleven?”
“That works. Meet me in the arts building and we can head out.” Allison pulled out her wallet and grabbed some cash for her drink. “I better get to bed. Do you know your way back to the subway from here?”
Nate stood. “I’ll be fine. And thank you.”
Allison smiled. “Of course.”
They walked out of the bar together and parted ways. Allison looked back to watch Nate walk around the corner. This wasn’t how she’d planned to end her night, but it had been exactly what she needed.
Chapter 7
Nate closed his laptop with a little more force than necessary. This was the second client that had told him they wanted something a little different. His head pounded from the phone call he’d just had. The ad had already been sent to print for the clothing line, and yet they wanted to change a few of the layouts.
A glance at the clock told him that if he didn’t leave soon, he’d miss meeting Allison, but was it worth it? Of course it was. Nate had to make this shoe contract work or his job would be on the line. Especially after telling Debra that she needed to pull this other ad.
The phone rang as Nate shoved his arms into his coat. “Hello?”
“Hello, this is Melinda from the New York Talent agency. I just found out that Brad can’t make it in the for the four-thirty shoot. He had a family emergency.”
Nate gripped the phone tighter. “Thank you for letting me know. We’ll take care of it.”
It was all he could do not to slam the phone down. He slipped his bag over his shoulder. That was the last time he’d use that modeling agency. It was the third cancellation that month. He poked his head into Erin’s office.
“Hey, is Jake available for a job later today?” It killed Nate to ask for Erin’s boyfriend to take over the job, but he was good and he was usually up for any job that came his way.
Erin grabbed a sticky note and a pen. “Pretty sure he’s supposed to be done with his other ad by noon. What’s the job?”
“It’s a clothing ad. I know he doesn’t usually do those, but I had yet another cancellation.” Nate readjusted his bag.
“Remind me not to call them again. I’ll check with Jake, but I’m sure he can be there. Thanks.” Erin’s smile lit up her face.
Nate nodded and hurried out of her office. He was really pushing it by that time, and had to run down the steps to the platform so he wouldn’t miss the train toward Columbia. The car was packed, and Nate had to stand next to a man who he was pretty sure hadn’t showered for a month. He did his best to hold his breath until he was able to climb off and gasp for air. He hurried up the steps and toward the building where Allison was supposed to be waiting.
He pulled out his phone and found the room number where they were supposed to meet. When he didn’t see her standing there, he searched the crowd to make sure he hadn’t written down the wrong number. When he couldn’t see her in the hallway, he checked through the classroom window.
A waltz played as two people mpveded across the floor. Allison and her partner danced in rhythm, almost seeming like they were one. When the song ended, she stopped and laughed, hugging her partner. Nate backed up away from the door, feeling like he’d been punched in the stomach. It wasn’t like he wanted anything to happen between them, but part of him had hoped something would.
The door opened shortly after, and Allison stopped laughing at something when she saw Nate. “Oh, hey. Sorry I was late. We wanted to run through the dance one more time.”
“It’s fine. I can go alone if you have something else you need to do.” Nate checked his watch and wondered if Erin had gotten ahold of Jared. Maybe he should have checked up on that instead of coming here.
“No, I’m ready to go. See you later, Darren.” Allison slipped her backpack over her shoulders and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The other guy left, which helped Nate relax a little. “You two were amazing in there.”
“Thanks. I’m hoping we can enter the dance contest next month, but I’m not sure I’ll be ready.” Allison sighed.
“Really?” Nate raised his eyebrows. “You were in perfect rhythm with each other.”
Allison made a face. “It may have looked that way, but there were several little things that were off. Anyway, are we ready to go?”
Nate nodded. “Where you do you want to go first?”
Allison headed out of the building and Nate glanced back toward the classroom. She could dance and sing better than most people he’d seen, and she was friendly toward him even though he’d ditched her. What else was she going to surprise him with?
“Well, I was thinking of going to the Irish Hunger Memorial first. It’s supposed to snow tonight, so I want to make sure we can get over there.” Allison pulled her coat tighter.
“Good idea. Where is it?” Nate followed her down the stairs to the subway.
“It’s south of here.” Allison found a spot near the back of the train and slid into a seat.
Nate sat next to her. “Have you been there before?”
Allison shook her head. “No, but I’ve been wanting to go. My professor talked a lot about it in class. It has this really cool old cottage that they made using stones from all over Ireland.”
“Wow, that’s amazing.”
The train began to move and Allison stared out the window. Nate studied her face, comparing her to the other girls he normally spent time with. She was opposite of anyone he’d dated before, and it intrigued him. Where they usually had their hair and makeup done perfectly, she had her hair in a pony tale and little or no makeup. She also seemed to enjoy life instead of demanding that others entertain her like the other girls did.
She turned at smiled at him. “Do I have something on my face?”
“No, I was just thinking.” Nate pulled out his phone, hoping for a distraction.
“Right.” She leaned over his shoulder. “What’s that game?”
Nate turned the screen on his phone so he could show her the game he’d started. “It’s just an arcade type game. You have to hit the balls to clear the level.”
Allison watched him play a couple of levels before holding out her hand. “Can I try?”
“Sure, just don’t beat my high score.” Nate laughed and gave her his phone. He leaned closer so he could watch her play and give tips. “Oh, wait, don’t touch—”
Allison laughed as she lost another life on the level. “I take it you don’t want to hit the bomb?”
“N
o, that would be bad.” The level had been driving him crazy for a week. “Here, let’s start it at the first level.”
“Man, you really think I’m hopeless, don’t you?” Allison glared, but the light in her eyes told Nate she was joking.
“Hey, you said it.” Nate grinned and scrolled down to the first level. “Here you go.”
Allison sighed and played through the first several levels before glancing up into his eyes. “Now do you believe me?”
“I guess so.” Nate stretched and laid his arm across the back of the seat, hoping Allison wouldn’t mind, but she was too into the game to react. That was a first. Most of the girls he’d dated laughed at the thought of playing video games, and it was refreshing to find a girl who obviously loved them.
They took turns trying the levels before they announced the stop just before Battery Park. Allison’s head jerked up. “Wow, we’re there already?”
“Yep, that’s the joy of video games. They’re perfect time wasters.” Nate stood and made his way to the train door so he could climb out.
“So you play that on the train every day?” Allison followed the crowd out of the subway and Nate hurried to catch up.
“Not every day. I try to get work done when I can.” Nate readjusted the collar on his coat to keep the cold off his neck. The temperature had dropped in the hour they’d been on the subway. “I think it’s a good idea you decided to do this first.”
Allison smiled and headed for the park. “I just hope we have time to see everything before we get snowed on.”
They made their way through the park until they came to the ruins of an old cottage. The land lay barren around it, adding to the feeling of the place. Nate stared at the bricks as a picture of what it once was came to mind.
“The Irish fled their country during the famine and came here, nearly doubling New York’s population. And we treated them terribly.” Allison stood there with her arms folded tightly. “I can’t even imagine what it must have been like.”
“Most people fled here for one reason or another.” Nate caught the glare on Allison’s face. “Sorry. I’m not saying that they don’t deserve to be remembered. It’s a tragedy. And this memorial is a good reminder. I just . . .” Nate trailed off, knowing that anything else he said would make him sound like a complete jerk.
Allison looked up at him. “You just what? Want to know why no one else has memorials?”
Nate shrugged. “Pretty much.”
“They do. But they’re not who you’re concentrating on, remember?” Allison gestured toward the cottage. “Did you know those stones were imported from each of Ireland’s counties? That’s a huge deal.”
“You’re right.” Nate walked along the path, studying the cottage. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“You’re welcome. Let’s head to the next place.” Allison walked toward the street.
Nate glanced back at the memorial, knowing that it needed to be part of the commercial somehow. He couldn’t wait to see the next part of the tour.
Nate watched as Allison spoke with one of the tour guides at the Battery Park fort left over from the War of 1812. He closed his eyes, imagining the millions of immigrants who had come through the area when they’d entered the country.
Allison walked over, her eyebrows scrunched together. “They say there’s nothing left of it. I wish you could have used this place in your commercial. It’s so fascinating.”
“We can make it work.” Nate turned and left the park. They’d visited a few more memorials before ending on this one, and by that time, it was dark, and Nate was starving. “Ready for some dinner?”
“Yes, and I know a great place to go. Come on.” Allison pulled him toward a building nestled among the large buildings surrounding it. Celtic music blasted as they opened the door. Allison took Nate by the hand and led him through the crowd, having no idea what her touch was doing to him.
They sat at a small table near the corner and had to shout over the noise to order their food. Nate looked around at the decor, and while the other restaurants had been full of Irish memorabilia, this one was covered in wall to wall flags, prints, and knickknacks. A live band sat in the corner, playing while the customers danced in the center of the room.
“How is it that you know where so many bars are in the city?” Nate raised an eyebrow.
“I applied to work at this one, but they decide my soul wasn’t Celtic enough. It doesn’t keep me from coming back, though. The food is to die for.” Allison watched the dancers, her face softening as she followed the movement.
“They missed out.” Nate smiled at her blush. “I’m serious. Your voice is beautiful. But I think they’re right. You belong at Eddie’s bar.”
“Thank you. I’m actually relieved to be working there. It’s so much closer to home, and it’s a lot less intimidating.”
The food came, and silence settled between them as they ate. It was a peaceful silence that Nate welcomed. Usually his date rambled on while he pretended to listen. He pushed those thoughts out of his mind. He didn’t need to think about anyone else when he was with her.
When he was done, he leaned forward so she could hear him better. “Do you work tonight? If so, we should probably get back because it’s getting late.”
“Nope. I’m free. Leah took over.” She took the last bite of her mashed potatoes. “Unless you want to get rid of me.”
Nate laughed. “No, I’ve enjoyed today. I was actually hoping it didn’t have to end yet.”
Allison stood and held out her hand. “Come on.”
“Where are we going?” Nate reached for his coat.
“No, you won’t need that. Not yet.” She took his hand and pulled him out to the dance floor.
Nate took a step back. “Uh, I don’t dance.”
“Come on. It’s been a long day, and I think you need the chance to relax.” She took his other hand. “Ever done an Irish dance before?”
“I told you, I don’t dance.” Nate knew a few people were staring, and he wanted to be anywhere but on the dance floor at that moment.
Allison laughed. “Just humor me, please?” She ran him through a few steps, and Nate attempted to do the same moves. “See? You’re not so bad.”
“Thanks.” Nate watched Allison’s feet as they continued on, and by the time the song ended, he almost had it down. The only thing that kept him on the floor and not running for the exit was the feel of Allison’s hands in his and the excitement that lit up her eyes. The song ended and a slower song came on. When Allison stuck out her bottom lip, Nate sighed. “Fine. How do you do this one?”
She grinned. “Watch closely. This one is a little trickier.”
Instead of holding hands to dance like they did before, they did the Irish jig in a line. Well, Allison and everyone else did. Nate tripped over his own feet more than once. At first, he was frustrated, but when everyone continued to encourage him, he relaxed and laughed along with everyone as he kept going. When the song ended, everyone cheered and Allison threw her arms around his neck.
“You did it.” She pulled back but didn’t let go as they stared into each other’s eyes.
Nate swallowed hard before going back to the table to take a break. He wanted to keep holding her. He loved how she felt in his arms, and how her eyes sparkled when she looked up at him. The smell of her shampoo, and the way her hair framed her face. But he couldn’t do that right now. Not with her. She was a good friend, and relationships always messed that up.
Allison joined him at the table, but the energy that usually burst from her was gone. She played with the straw in her drink. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, I have work that needs to get done, and I think I have a good idea for this commercial.” Nate pulled out some cash and dropped it on the table.
The smile on Allison’s lips didn’t quite reach her eyes. “That’s great.”
They left the pub and walked in silence for a block before Nate couldn’t handle it. “Thank you for helping me
out today. I had a lot of fun.”
“I did too. I’d been wanting to visit the memorial ever since I heard about it.” Allison stared off into the distance.
“This is my stop here.” Nate took a few dollar bills from his wallet and held it out to Allison, then flagged down a cab. “The next subway to your place isn’t for another few blocks, and I’d feel bad having you walk on your own.”
Allison smiled weakly. “I can pay for myself. But thank you.”
Nate watched as she climbed in, the crisp bills still in his hand. He’d only wanted to protect their friendship, but he was pretty sure that he’d messed it up even more.
Chapter 8
Allison wiped a tear from her eye as she climbed out of the cab and hurried up to her apartment. Things had been going so well, and she’d thought that Nate was having fun too. And the way he’d looked at her . . . she was sure he’d felt something.
Until he pulled away.
The door slammed harder than she’d tried, but she didn’t care. It was her fault for trusting him. She should have known better than to believe he would share her feelings. Thoughts of the blonde girl from the bar flashed through her mind. Sure, he’d walked her home that night instead of going home with the girl, but that’s because he’d been rejected by her.
Sam came home soon after and set groceries on the counter. “Hey, how’d it go today?”
“Don’t ask.”
“That good, huh?” Sam put the milk in the fridge. “Eddie told me Nate’s a good guy, but so far he’s ditched you and then did whatever he did tonight. I think Eddie’s blind.”
Allison took the small tub of rocky road ice cream from Sam and opened the lid. “He’s a good guy. I saw that today. He’s just not into me. Which is fine. I have to concentrate on my dance anyway.”
“How was class?” Sam stole a spoonful of ice cream from the tub.
“Better. We’re getting it, but I’m still worried about a couple of things. I just wish Darren would agree to a few extra practices.”
Change in Harmony (A Silver Script Novel Book 4) Page 5
